Basophil models of homeopathy: a sceptical view.

This paper examines the activation and inhibition of activation of human basophils. After a brief description of human basophils, different methods to determine basophil activation are discussed with a special emphasis on the use of flow cytometric methods, as these circumvent the potential problems of assays based on the loss of colour by activated basophils. The activation of human basophils by ultra-high dilutions of anti-IgE is discussed. The majority of the paper describes the inhibition of basophil activation by ultra-high dilutions of histamine. The results from published papers are described and discussed. After over 20 years research trying to find out if high dilutions of histamine have a negative feedback effect on the activation of basophils by anti-IgE, what do we know? The methods are poorly standardized between laboratories - although the same is true for conventional studies. Certainly there appears to be some evidence for an effect - albeit small in some cases - with the high dilutions in several different laboratories using the flow cytometric methodologies. After standardization of a number of parameters, it is recommended that a multi-centre trial be performed to hopefully put an end to this "never-ending story".

In vitro analysis of birch-pollen-associated food allergy by use of recombinant allergens in the basophil activation test.

BACKGROUND: Basophil activation is associated with the expression of CD63. In birch-pollen-associated food allergy to celery, carrot and apple, Bet v 1, Api g 1, Dau c 1 and Mal d 1 are major allergens. Recombinant allergens have not yet been used in the CD63-based basophil activation test (BAT). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of using recombinant allergens in the BAT in the diagnosis of allergy to apple, carrot and celery and to compare results with routine tests, i.e. skin prick tests (SPTs) and specific IgE. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with an oral allergy syndrome induced by apple, carrot or celery and 22 controls were studied. SPTs were performed with native foods. Specific IgE was determined by the CAP method and basophil activation by flowcytometry upon double staining with anti-IgE/anti-CD63 monoclonal antibodies after incubating with purified recombinant Bet v 1, Bet v 2, Api g 1, Dau c 1 and Mal d 1. RESULTS: By the combined use of the BAT and the CAP method, sensitization to Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 was detected in 100 and 25% of all subjects, respectively. Sensitivity of specific IgE for apple, carrot and celery was 60, 70 and 75% with corresponding specificities of 64, 86 and 82%. Sensitivity of the BAT for Mal d 1, Dau c 1 and Api g 1 was 75, 65 and 75% with corresponding specificities of 68, 100 and 77%. CONCLUSIONS: The BAT using recombinant allergens provides a valuable new in vitro method for the detection of sensitization to foods. Although double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges remain the gold standard to confirm food allergy, the CD63-based BAT with recombinant allergens may supplement routine tests for allergy diagnosis.

Variation in human platelet glycoprotein VI content modulates glycoprotein VI-specific prothrombinase activity.

- Glycoprotein VI (GPVI) is a platelet-specific receptor for collagen that figures prominently in signal transduction. An addition to binding to type I and III collagens, GPVI is also bound specifically by collagen-related peptide and convulxin (CVX), a snake venom protein. We developed a quantitative assay of platelet GPVI in which biotin-conjugated CVX binds selectively to GPVI in separated total platelet proteins by a ligand blot procedure. Using this approach, we have documented a 5-fold range in platelet GPVI content among 23 normal healthy subjects. In addition, we have determined that CVX-induced or collagen-related peptide-induced prothrombinase activity is directly proportional to the platelet content of GPVI. A statistically significant correlation was observed at 2 CVX concentrations: 14.7 ng/mL (R(2)=0.854 and P<0.001, n=11) and 22 ng/mL (R(2)=0.776 and P<0.001, n=12). In previous studies, we established a similar range of expression of the integrin collagen receptor alpha(2)beta(1) on platelets of normal subjects. Among 15 donors, there is a direct correlation between platelet alpha(2)beta(1) density and GPVI content (R(2)=0.475 and P=0.004). In view of the well-documented association of GPVI with platelet procoagulant activity, this study suggests that the variation in GPVI content is a potential risk factor that may predispose individuals to hemorrhagic or thromboembolic disorders.

Dietary coenzyme Q10 supplementation alters platelet size and inhibits human vitronectin (CD51/CD61) receptor expression.

Improved cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have been observed in several clinical studies of dietary supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, ubiquinone). Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the effects of CoQ10, but a comprehensive explanation of its cardioprotective properties is still lacking. One attractive theory links ubiquinone with the inhibition of platelets. The effect of CoQ10 intake on platelet size and surface antigens was examined in human volunteers. Study participants received 100 mg of CoQ10 twice daily in addition to their usual diet for 20 days. Receptor expression was measured by flow cytometry with monoclonal murine anti-human antibodies CD9 (p24), CD42B (Ib), CD41b (IIb), CD61 (IIIa), CD41a (IIb/IIIa), CD49b (VLA-2), CD62p (P selectin), CD31 (PECAM-1), and CD51/CD61 (vitronectin). An increase of total serum CoQ10 level (from 0.6 +/- 0.1 to 1.8 +/- 0.3 micrograms/ml; p < 0.001) was found at protocol termination. Fluorescence intensity was higher for the large platelets when compared with the whole platelet population. Significant inhibition of vitronectin-receptor expression was observed consistently throughout ubiquinone treatment. Reduction of platelet size was observed at the end of CoQ10 supplementation. Inhibition of the platelet vitronectin receptor and a reduction of the platelet size are direct evidence of a link between dietary CoQ10 intake and platelets. These findings may not be fully explained by the known antioxidant and bioenergetic properties of CoQ10. Diminished vitronectin-receptor expression and reduced platelet size resulting from CoQ10 therapy may contribute to the observed clinical benefits in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

[Contribution of flow cytometry to allergologic diagnosis]. / Apport de la cytométrie en flux dans le diagnostic allergologique.

The technique of Flow Cytometry for activation of basophils (TAB), expressed as the marker CD63, is at present one of the pathways of research applied to drug allergy. In this work are reported the results of TAB of Pneumoallergens and Hymenoptera venoms. TAB can define better than total IgE the atopy of the subject: in effect the fluorescence of the basophils is emphasized in comparison with non-atopic subjects. This hypothesis has been confirmed by a study of three groups of subjects. With regard to drug allergy, it is important to study patients in whom the observations have been documented very objectively by clinical history and positive skin tests to the drug, compared with a negative reference to the same drug. So, TAB has been shown to be very useful in diagnosis of allergy to certain drugs, such as the Myorelaxants.

Beneficial effects of oligotide, a novel oligodeoxyribonucleotide, in murine traumatic shock.

The effects of oligotide, an oligodeoxyribonucleotide analog, were investigated in an experimental model of traumatic shock. Pentobarbital-anesthetized rats subjected to Noble-Collip drum trauma and receiving only the vehicle (i.e., Krebs-Henseleit solution) developed a severe form of traumatic shock characterized by marked hypotension (61 +/- 6 mmHg), a survival time of 115 +/- 21 min, endothelial dysfunction, significant increases in plasma free amino-nitrogen concentration (p < .001) as well as elevated intestinal myeloperoxidase activity. In contrast, oligotide given intravenously (15 mg/kg bolus + 10 mg/kg/h infusion for 5 h) resulted in a significant prolongation of survival time to 209 +/- 31 min (p < .01), a significant and sustained increase in mean arterial blood pressure, a significant attenuation of plasma free amino-nitrogen concentration (p < .01), and intestinal myeloperoxidase activity (p < .05). Furthermore, oligotide significantly preserved superior mesenteric artery (SMA) endothelial function as seen by the relaxation response of isolated SMA rings to acetylcholine (71 +/- 5% vs. 36 +/- 5%, p < .01 compared to untreated trauma rats). Moreover, oligotide in a concentration-dependent manner attenuated unstimulated human neutrophil adherence to either thrombin or trauma-activated SMA endothelium in vitro (p < .001). Thus, our data suggest that the mechanism of the protective effect of oligotide in traumatic shock is improving endothelial function and diminishing neutrophil accumulation leading to reduced tissue injury.

Quality of platelet concentrates irradiated with UVB light: effect of UV dose and dose rate on glycocalicin release and correlation with other markers of the platelet storage lesion.

The amount of membrane-associated glycoprotein Ib in platelet concentrates (PCs) irradiated with a high dose of UVB light has been shown to be significantly reduced after 48 h storage. We recently corroborated this finding when we noted an increase in the supernatant levels of glycocalicin (GC, a major segment of glycoprotein Ib) in UVB-treated PCs during storage. The aim of the present study was to determine whether GC release was related to both the UV dose and the rate of dose delivery. Plateletpheresis concentrates obtained from five donors were pooled and split into five equal parts. Four of these were treated with 7500 and 15,000 mJ/cm2 UVB using two prototype UV sources with differing rates of dose delivery; namely, Baxter (BAT) and British Aerospace (BAC) cabinets, with the latter having the slower rate of delivery. On days 1 and 5 of storage, GC levels in the supernatants of PCs were determined by ELISA. Moreover, the following parameters were also assessed: platelet and WBC count; hypotonic shock response (HSR) and platelet aggregation response to ADP, ADP+collagen, ADP+arachidonic acid and ristocetin; pH; supernatant levels of lactate, glucose, von Willebrand factor (vWf) and beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG). The results revealed an association of GC release with UVB dose using both UV sources, although this was more apparent in the BAC system, in which glycocalicin release at day 5 of storage was as follows (microgram/ml, mean +/- SD): 4.8 +/- 0.3 and 9.5 +/- 3.6 at 7500 and 15,000 mJ/cm2 respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

High-dose heparin suppresses platelet alpha granule secretion.

Platelet degranulation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of acute arterial thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia, and atherogenesis. Most previous studies that examined the effect of heparin on platelet function have used platelet aggregometry. These studies have resulted in contradictory data and, by the nature of the assay, reveal no information with regard to platelet degranulation. In contrast, flow cytometry allows accurate quantification of the extent of platelet degranulation by measurement of the platelet surface binding of a GMP-140 specific monoclonal antibody (S12). GMP-140 is only expressed on the platelet surface after platelet alpha granule release. In the present study increasing concentrations of heparin were added to whole blood anticoagulated with sodium citrate. Platelets were activated with a panel of agonists, and the extent of platelet degranulation was quantified by whole blood flow cytometry. Heparin concentrations as high as 100 units/ml were found to suppress platelet alpha granule release induced by either a thromboxane A2 analog (U46619) or a combination of adenosine diphosphate and epinephrine. Heparin suppressed alpha granule release induced by thrombin both in whole blood and in washed platelets. The addition of heparin after platelet activation had no effect on S12 binding. In summary, heparin in high concentrations is a potent inhibitor of platelet degranulation, an action that is unrelated to its effect on the coagulation cascade. Although the heparin concentrations used in this study exceed those used clinically by a factor of 10 or more, future studies of heparin fractions may allow the separation of the anticoagulant and antiplatelet properties of the molecule and allow the administration of an agent that selectively suppresses platelet degranulation without the humoral anticoagulant effect.

Progressive platelet activation with storage: evidence for shortened survival of activated platelets after transfusion.

Platelets are known to become activated during storage, but it is unclear whether such activation affects recovery or survival after platelet concentrate (PC) transfusion. With the use of flow cytometry to determine the percentage of platelets expressing the alpha-granule membrane protein 140 (GMP-140), a known adhesive ligand appearing on the platelet surface after activation, several studies were conducted. These investigations evaluated 1) the occurrence of significant platelet activation over time in PCs (n = 46) stored under standard blood bank conditions; 2) the correlation between platelet activation and platelet recovery in normal subjects after PC storage (n = 12), as assessed by the recovery of Indium-labeled platelets; and 3) the recovery of activated and unactivated platelets in thrombocytopenic cancer patients transfused with standard PCs (n = 11). It was determined 1) that an increasing duration of storage of PC was associated with increasing platelet activation as measured by the percentage of platelets expressing GMP-140, progressing from a mean of 4 +/- 2 percent (SD) on the day of collection to a mean of 25 +/- 8 percent by 5 days of storage: 2) that, in normal subjects, posttransfusion recovery of autologous platelets stored for 2 to 4 days and then labeled with In111 was inversely correlated with the percentage of activated platelets in the transfused PC (r = -0.55, p = 0.05); and 3) that, when thrombocytopenic patients were transfused with standard PCs, the recovery of the activated platelets in the transfused PCs averaged only 38 +/- 15 percent of the number predicted by the absolute platelet increment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Relation of the level of platelet membrane glycoproteins, platelet adhesion, platelet aggregation and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome patterns of coronary heart disease].

This experiment made quantitative analysis of platelet GPlb of 56 patients with coronary heart disease and with McAb SZ-2 resisting to human being platelet GP by using the method of indirect immunity fluorescence saturation, observed the changes of coronary heart patients' platelet GPlb based on TCM differentiation of the pattern, and determined the level of PAdT, PAgT. The results showed that the level of platelet GPlb of coronary heart disease was higher than normal. Among them, the acute myocardiac infarction group was the most obvious, followed by the unstable angina pectoris group and the stable angina pectoris group. The level of PAdT, PAgT of coronary heart patients was higher than those of the normal group (P less than 0.005, 0.05); the level of platelet GPlb in blood stasis syndrome group was higher remarkably than the group of having no blood stasis syndrome and the normal (P less than 0.001). These results suggested that it played an important part in the occurrence and development of coronary heart disease as manifested by abnormal increase of platelet GPlb, and enhancement of platelet's adherence and aggregation. The abnormal increase of platelet GPlb is due to pathological mechanism of blood stasis syndrome of coronary heart disease. This experiment also provided a fresh evidence to TCM differentiation of the pattern and treatment of coronary heart disease.